Up(/side)grade

[cwgk91]

Hey all,

Looking to upgrade from my current AMD based system to the new z97 intel board in the next couple of weeks (depending on reviews of the 4790k ). Anyway, that aside, looks like my sister would like to take my old AMD system and thats leaving me with a slight conundrum. So far Ive had my pc as below, with an 8350 paired up with a 290x, but Im still unsure as to whether Ive had the best out of my gpu due to bottlenecks with my processor.

Basically, I need help decided whether:
1. To hand over my pc to my sis as it is now (well, when my 290x comes back from MSI...) and buy either a 780ti/new 290x to go in my new rig.

or

2. To keep my 290x and get a card more suiting to the 8350s.. more modest processing power (280x/770)

She's not a technophile so was wondering if geforce experience would be better suited to her abilities than raptr, but I think thats a decision for later

 

[Kaapstad]

Give her a 280X and move your 290X to the new build.

 

[cwgk91]

Thats what I was thinking. Works out cheaper too

 

[Martini1991]

Deffo get a 280X and put the 290X in your Intel build.

 

[cwgk91]

which 280x would people recommend? (sorry, I'm sure that people have asked this loads of times before!)

Tempted by the asus as the rest of the system is, though that of course has a premium with it. Any benefit by going all one maker?

 

[Marine-RX179]

You sure your sister really need graphic grunt as high as 280x?

If you are paying for it, if it was me I'd just grab a 2nd hand HD7850 for her and save the money to further upgrade my own PC instead

 

[arc@css]

Does it need to be a 280X? Would a 280 suffice?

An Asus card would compliment the system, though their warranty / customer service is well known for being poor.

I like Gigabyte for their design and UK based warranty :

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-122-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

 

[cwgk91]

In the past I've had a 7970 which I was very pleased with. The main problem I have with going down to a 270x equivalent (if thats the 7850??) would be lack of future proofing I guess. Especially as one of the main reasons for her wanting a pc is to play thief, the mantle support would be good

Hadn't thought of the standard 280... will take a look

 

[arc@css]

270X = an overclocked 7870, and is very close to a stock 7950.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1043?vs=1033


The 280 (non-X) equates to a 7950, but of course has much, much more overclocking headroom than the 270X / higher memory interface / vram.

 

[cwgk91]

Ah ok, interesting. I thought the 280 was a 7950 in drag. Will check out a 270x too then...